A Forgotten Princess: Irene Duleep Singh and the Evolution of Mental Health and Law
Erasmus Darwin House, Beacon Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 7AD
The Forgotten Child: Princess Irene Duleep Singh (1889–1926)
When Maharaja Duleep Singh died in exile in 1893, his youngest daughter — Princess Irene — was just shy of her 4th birthday. Born in 1889 to Ada Wetherill, an Englishwoman from Lambeth and the Maharaja’s 2nd wife, Irene was the last legitimate child of the Sikh royal family. But unlike her famous half-sister Sophia — a suffragette and Queen Victoria’s goddaughter — Irene lived a life of growing isolation and faded from public memory.
Her father, the last Maharaja of Punjab, was exiled as a child and famously gave Queen Victoria the Koh-i-Noor diamond. He later converted to Christianity. Irene was christened in 1892, a year before his death, and raised between East & West — carrying Sikh royal blood while growing up between France and England. This event reflects that duality, with Lichfield Cathedral — opposite Erasmus Darwin House — forming part of the experience.
Held shortly after World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September), this Heritage Open Days event marks the centenary of Irene’s death by suicide in 1926. Legal disputes over her will revealed struggles with mental illness, institutionalisation, and contested claims of motherhood.
By spotlighting her story, the event invites reflection on how society’s views of mental health, justice, and the law have evolved — and what they still ask of us today. Dr Barnardo’s and other charities have been invited to take part.
Need support? Samaritans: 116 123
Alongside taking place in person, online webinars will also be taking place during the festival - further details to come shortly.
Timings & Tours
- Friday 12 September:
- In-person talks and tours. Details coming soon.
- Saturday 13 September:
- In-person talks and tours. Details coming soon.
- Wednesday 17 September:
- Online repeat of in person talks/tours from 12th September 2025
- Saturday 20 September:
- Online repeat of in person talks/tours from 20th September 2025
Location & directions
Erasmus Darwin House, Beacon Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 7AD
- Directions:
- Wheelchair access is available for the tours. Due to the museum lift being out of order, in-person talks are not wheelchair accessible — but talks will also be available online. Nearest Car Parks: Lombard Street (WS13 6DW): Short walk Friary Inner (WS13 6QH): ~5 minutes’ walk Bird Street (WS13 6PR): Close to city centre Accessible Parking: Designated disabled spaces are available opposite the Cathedral, near the venue entrance. Additional Parking: JustPark offers reservable parking nearby, including Cherry Orchard and Friary Road. Public Transport: By Train: Lichfield City Station (~0.8 miles from the venue) By Bus: Main station on Birmingham Road — a short walk away.
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking preferred
- Booking conditions:
- Booking Information: This event has the potential to be popular, so pre-booking is preferred to avoid disappointment and to help ensure that any access needs or reasonable adjustments can be planned in advance. Details on how to book will be added to the HODs website shortly.
- Booking contact name:
- Sundeep
Accessibility details
Please note: The museum lift is currently out of order. As a reasonable adjustment, all talks will also be available online, as the in-person sessions take place upstairs in the museum. An accessible tour will run in place of the upstairs exhibition. To avoid steps, please enter via Cathedral Close and the herb garden. Disabled parking is available opposite the Cathedral, near the entrance. An accessible toilet is available inside the museum. If you have any access needs, please get in touch — will do best to help.
Additional information
I will be updating this directory with more information in August 2025.
- Max no of people per tour:
- 16
- Est. tour duration:
- 1 hour(s) 0 minute(s)
